Raismes Festival started in 1998 when the Cultural Center of Raismes was approached by a group of people interested in rock, Metal and progressive rock music, who wanted to organize a festival in the city.

An organizing committee was created consisting of twenty people and the festival was born.

The setting for the event is also one of the grandest of all festivals, the one hectare grounds of the castle of Princess d'Arenberg.

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In 2005, a second stage was put in place, alongside the main stage to promote lesser known bands and give them an outlet for their music.

Bands who have appeared at the festival over the years include MSG, Saxon, Y&T, Glenn Hughes, Uriah Heep, Krokus, Gamma Ray and Uli Roth.

This year's event takes place on September 14th with Y&T again headlining the event, with Norwegians Audrey Horne also strutting their stuff along with a host of other bands.

Tickets are priced at a ridiculously reasonable price of 36 Euros and there is camping, local accomodation a plenty so everything is catered for.